Apple trees with red flowers and edible fruits. Decorate the garden with an apple tree. Which decorative varieties to choose. Varieties of ornamental apple trees Ola and Helena

Answers Andrey Lysikov, Candidate of Biological Sciences:

Our answer to Sakura

The harmonious shape of the crown, elegant foliage and a huge number of bright flowers collected in umbrella inflorescences make decorative apple trees desirable in any garden. The color of the leaves of these trees can be very diverse: from light green to emerald and from pinkish to dark purple. As for flowers, their palette in different species and varieties covers a wide spectrum from boiling white to scarlet, crimson or beetroot. The fruits also vary in size, shape and color, although all of them, as a rule, are significantly smaller than those of the domestic apple tree, the ancestor of many fruit varieties.

In recent years, ornamental apple trees can be increasingly seen in summer cottages. In the garden they can play a variety of roles: serve as spectacular soloists, perform in groups or as part of tree and shrub compositions. One of the main advantages of these trees, perhaps, is that they can be considered as a replacement for cherry trees, which have little winter hardiness in temperate climates. The fruits also deserve special mention. In many varieties they are edible and are used for making preserves, jellies and compote, and in addition, they remain decorative for a long time and attract numerous birds to the garden in winter.

Attention

"Makamik." Photo: Andrey Lysikov

What to choose?

The ornamental group includes a number of species of apple trees, mainly of Far Eastern origin, as well as many hybrid varieties. Most of them are perfect for summer cottages: their height, as a rule, does not exceed 6-8 m, and the crowns, even of the most spreading specimens, do not take up very much space. In addition, they are quite durable and unpretentious in relation to soils.

Prominent representatives of decorative species are the Niedzwiecki apple tree, up to 8 m high, with a lush tent-shaped crown, purple flowers and fruits, i. Siebold with an umbrella crown, pink buds and whitening flowers and me. profusely blooming with a wide spreading crown, pink inflorescences and orangish apples.

Hybrid apple trees are also widely used in design. Among the most popular is me. plumifolium, often called "Chinese", and also me. purple, a miniature copy of my ancestor me. Nedzvetsky.

"Royalty". Photo: Andrey Lysikov

Recently, the dream of many gardeners has become 'Brandy Magic' - a spectacular varietal apple tree with a spreading crown, large double flowers and yellow round apples with a diameter of 4-5 cm. The 'Makovetskiana' variety is also remarkable, distinguished by large dark pink flowers and small burgundy fruits elongated shape.

However, the most widespread and recognized among gardeners are decorative hybrids, characterized by their compact size and the special attractiveness of their flowers and fruits.

Blooming columns

Particularly attractive are the columnar apple trees, reaching a height of 2 m. During flowering, the best of them are strewn from top to bottom with large flowers of different colors, then turning into small apples weighing 30-40 g. Among the most decorative and stable varieties of domestic selection can be called 'Pomegranate Bracelet' with light purple flowers, 'Pink Tale', 'Carmelita' with pink-violet and 'Crimson Necklace' with reddish-purple.

‘Chil’s Viping’ is a variety with a weeping crown, on the hanging shoots of which numerous fragrant deep pink flowers open in spring. Photo: Andrey Lysikov

Varieties of ornamental apple trees*

with white flowers:

‘Long’, ‘Everest’, ‘John ​​Downey’, ‘Adirondack’, ‘Tina’, ‘Street Parade’

with pink flowers:

‘Hopa’ ‘Lizet’, ‘Mokum’, ‘Ola’, ‘Red Obelisk’

with red, burgundy or purple:

‘Royalty’, ‘Rudolph’, ‘Eley’, ‘Makamik’, ‘Nikoline’.

*The most winter-hardy in central Russia

They will decorate any garden with their luxurious blooms and bright colors of fallen leaves. Apple trees are beautiful trees: a lush crown, dwarf fruits, glowing among the lush green foliage.

Description of ornamental apple trees

This crop is a low tree. The top point of the crown reaches ten meters in height. Certain types of ornamental apple trees take the form of shrubs. If the crown is not formed, it will be an irregular oval or ball. There are fruit-bearing varieties, but their fruits do not have excellent taste, many of them are not edible at all. The bark of the trunk may be pastel or brown.

When choosing varieties of ornamental apple trees, special attention should be paid to the color and shape of the leaf plates. In some species they have a red tint and do not fall off for a long time in the fall, thanks to which designers have the opportunity to create magnificent landscapes, even if the soil composition is poor and the weather conditions are unfavorable. However, the main foliage color of ornamental apple trees is green. With the onset of autumn it changes to yellow and red. The leaves have the shape of an ellipse or plum, their length is 10 cm.

During flowering, the crown is strewn with numerous flowers with a heady aroma; their diameter is four centimeters. The main color is white, but with peach, pink or ivory shades. Inflorescences are bouquets collected from single flowers. The fruits are formed immediately after flowering, at first they are green, then yellow or red.

Features of cultivation

Ornamental apple trees have an amazing property: they do not respond to unfavorable factors that the environment presents from time to time. The culture is frost-resistant, grows in regions with cold climates, and is also not afraid of drought, growing on saline soils, in a polluted environment and in the conditions of modern cities.

Ornamental apple trees are grown in areas illuminated by sunlight. Here they will not lose their decorative properties and will decorate the garden at any time of the year. Apple trees grow poorly in areas even with light partial shade, and they cannot tolerate shade at all. It is unlikely that in such conditions they will delight with abundant flowering and fruiting.

What soils do they grow on?

Apple trees do not have any special requirements for soil, but they have their own preferences: fertile, fresh soil. They grow in any conditions, but overly moist, dry, sandy, swampy and rocky soils are not desirable for them. These ornamental plants are attractive even when grown in poor soils.

Landing

The procedure is almost the same as for most woody plants in the garden. It is better to plant ornamental apple trees in the spring, before the buds open. But this can also be done in the autumn; planting occurs in September or early October. Seedlings of four years of life are planted in spring and autumn, adult plants - only before the onset of winter. It is especially important what plants will grow in the neighborhood. Apple trees need free space, so it is better not to plant them next to large specimens. For each, a space is left equal to the diameter of the crown of an adult tree, approximately five to six meters. The distance between apple trees and neighboring crops should be two to three meters.

Holes for planting need to be dug large, with a diameter of 80 cm and a depth of about one meter. This is done in advance, in the fall or 30 days before planting. The soil in the hole is replaced with another, prepared independently: leaf soil from the garden, sand and humus are mixed in a ratio of 1: 2: 3 parts. Mineral fertilizer is added to the resulting mixture in an amount of 250-300 g. Without soil improvement, apple trees take a long time to take root. The root collar should not be covered with soil; it should be above its surface.

How is the crown formed?

This is usually done during pruning. There are many types of crowns according to their shape: weeping, tiered, improved, cordon, palmette and others. Regardless of the time of planting: spring or autumn, formation is done next year, as soon as spring comes, but the buds have not yet bloomed. This time falls in April, its beginning.

In the spring, a strong shoot stands out on the seedling, growing in a vertical direction. Three or four branches are selected from it, spaced evenly along the trunk, and cut to the same height. When forming a crown, you need to place the branches at a sufficiently large distance from one another, and the central one should be higher than the rest. The following year, in March, the selected branches are shortened at the level of strong outer buds. Shoots that may compete are removed. In subsequent years, several new branches are selected and formed in the same way.

Some ornamental apple trees are shaped like weeping trees. To give the crown this shape, the apple tree needs to be grafted onto a standard at a level of one and a half meters from the ground. After three to four years, the branches will hang to the ground surface. Subsequently, they need to be trimmed regularly so that the crown is beautiful and transparent.

How to care for a tree?

An ornamental apple tree requires appropriate care. This crop grows best in fertile, well-drained soils and requires moderate watering, but does not tolerate stagnant water. The soil in the tree trunk circles should be mulched with crushed conifer bark, nut shells, sawdust, and peat. This will retain moisture in the soil and rid the apple tree of weeds.

In the spring, preventive spraying of trees is carried out. If the fruits are not to be consumed, pest control can be carried out during the flowering period of the apple tree, the formation and ripening of its fruits. But it is better to refrain from this, since delicious apples attract, especially children. In addition, birds feed on them. To prevent anyone from getting poisoned, it is better to control pests with chemicals before the onset of the growing season.

Apple trees are affected by diseases such as powdery mildew and scab. In addition, trees are infected by bacteria that cause burns. In this case, such specimens must be destroyed, since the disease can quickly spread to other trees.

In the climatic conditions of our country, this species is the most common. Experienced gardeners believe that the Niedzwiecki apple tree has no equal among other fruit representatives. This low tree reaches a height of three and a half meters. The crown has an oval shape, its width is two and a half meters. As you can see, the parameters of the two measurements are almost the same. This makes the crown look even more rounded, which gives the whole tree a cozy appearance. During abundant flowering, the tree is covered with purple buds, and during the fruiting period - with crimson apples four centimeters in diameter. The only disadvantage of the Niedzvetsky apple tree is damage in severe frosts.

Weeping apple tree

This variety has another name - “riverside”. The apple tree is distributed mainly in North America, but it grows well here too. It is not afraid of severe frosts and can easily withstand them due to the large thickness of its bark. If you provide good care, its height reaches 12 meters. It got its name because of its flexible branches, which bend down to the ground under the weight of numerous fruits and leaves.

red leaf apple tree

This is a hybrid crop, therefore it is able to withstand conditions that are called unfavorable. Another advantage is resistance to diseases such as scab and other lesions characteristic of this species.

The decorative red-leaved apple tree reaches a height of four meters. The crown is lush and wide. Its diameter is three meters. This is an amazing plant. The leaves are purple at first, and when the red fruits ripen, they turn emerald. It withstands frosts without being damaged.

Siberian

Today it is the most popular decorative crop. The homeland of the apple tree is China. In the wild, the place of growth is Siberia. It is grown everywhere to decorate the landscape. Flowering occurs in spring. At this time, the crown of the tree looks like a cloud of white and pink. Apples, like beads, ripen in the fall. The tree has an average height of approximately five meters. The crown has an umbrella-shaped or rounded shape. The leaves are elongated, the surface is smooth, the tip is pointed. Flowering lasts 14 days. The fruits ripen quickly, but are not suitable for eating.

Royalty

This variety of apple tree is characterized by slow growth. It takes 8-10 years for a tree to become an adult. After this, its height reaches five meters. The crown is wide, four meters in diameter. The Royalty apple tree has unusual leaves. They are narrow, glossy and purple in color. In autumn, the leaves turn red, but their brightness and attractiveness remain. The Royalty apple tree is resistant to frost, but does not tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil.

Robin

The apple tree grows in the form of a low bush, shaped like an oval. The crown of the plant is wide and dense. This variety is distinguished by the color of its buds: they are red, rich, attractive even before blooming. During the flowering period, the bush is covered with numerous flowers with a raspberry scent, hence the name.

Lesnaya

The modest apple tree is native to Europe. The tree can grow up to three meters, but its height can be 10 m. The crown is spreading, the leaves are wide, ovoid in shape. The flowers are four to five centimeters in diameter and are white or pink. The fruits, 4-5 cm in diameter, are spherical in shape, yellowish-green in color with a pink blush. The apples are edible, but slightly sour.

Melba

The apple tree is a creeping variety. The fruits are edible and ripen in the summer. They are white in color with a hint of red. Large enough for decorative fruit trees, the weight of one apple is 80-100 g. Storage is average in duration - one month.

Chinese

This type of apple tree has tasty fruits. They are used to make compotes and jam. The Chinese apple tree is adapted to growing in the Russian climate, including in the northern regions. Refers to wild varieties with rapid growth. Over the course of a year it adds 20-30 cm and can reach 10 meters in height. The Chinese apple tree is decorative: the branches are hidden behind pleasant emerald leaves, and during the flowering period - behind snow-white flowers. It seems that the crown is covered with snow. This species has many varieties, some of which are presented below.

Golden Chinese

This is the most popular variety. It is not distinguished by high frost resistance, but has other undeniable advantages: it ripens early, fruiting occurs quickly, and there is no need to wait five to eight years. The crown is weeping, the fruits are formed mainly in the apical part of the branches, they are edible. Weight reaches 30 g, size - seven centimeters. The apples are yellow and sour in taste, but very pleasant. However, they do not last long, only seven days, and fall off when ripe. The fruits are high in vitamins, microelements, and amino acids, so they are consumed fresh. In addition, they are used for making jams, jams, marmalades, and jellies. Juices and wine are made from them.

Bellefleur-Chinese

A popular variety that can often be found in garden plots. The tree is tall, the crown is dense, and therefore needs shaping. The fruits are edible and large enough for an ornamental breed; individual specimens weigh 500-600 g. They are colored yellow with a pink tint in the form of stripes. They have a sweet and sour taste, a pleasant aroma, and are stored for a long time, two months. The apple tree begins to bear fruit after eight years of life, the yield is small.

Ornamental fruit trees are becoming increasingly common in Russia. Beautiful flowering plants decorate summer cottages and garden plots and add originality to front gardens and house facades.

Decorative apple trees occupy a special place in the design of parks, alleys, gardens, and administrative territories. Unpretentiousness in care, luxury of flowering, picturesque appearance of fruits and delicate fragrance explain the growing popularity of these trees in landscape design.

Description of the red-leaved apple tree

The apple tree is a popular garden tree that is grown not only for its healthy and tasty fruits. As a result of breeding work, decorative species have been developed that perfectly decorate gardens and personal plots. The varieties of red-leafed ornamental apple trees are especially chic, bringing life to the landscape of parks and gardens.

An apple tree with red leaves will look spectacular on a bright green lawn or against a wall. It will also harmoniously fit into the composition with other ornamental plants in the garden, both trees and shrubs.

The fruits of the decorative apple tree are suitable for creating bouquets, floral and plant arrangements. The nutritional quality of the fruit is low, so ornamental apples have not found wide use in cooking. Although they can be used to decorate dishes and prepare confitures, jams, and compotes.

Use in landscape design

Using red-leaved apple trees in garden design, it is easy to create a corner or an entire garden in the Japanese style. The lush, delicate pink blossoms of red-leaved apple trees in the spring are not inferior in grace to the blossoms of the famous sakura. Japanese azaleas, rhododendrons, and decorative types of bamboo will complement the composition.

A combination of red-leaved apple and beech trees will help to decorate the landscape in a European style; planting lilies, geraniums, and ground cover roses at the foot of the trees will complete the composition.

Special sophistication The landscape will be enhanced by tulips planted between herbaceous perennials and blooming at the same time as the apple tree.

Ornamental apple trees not only decorate the landscape, but are also effective pollinators. If fruit apple trees grow next to ornamental ones, then the yield of fruit trees will be high as a result of good pollination.

Red-leaved varieties are mainly hybrids bred from the Niedzwiecki apple tree.

Niedzvetsky apple tree

Niedzvetsky apple tree- decorative apple tree with red leaves. In the wild, the original species is endangered and is found in Central Asia. Description of the variety:

• The height of the tree is 2−6 meters.
• A distinctive feature is the presence of red pigment (anthocyanin) in all plant cells: seeds, foliage, flowers, pulp and skin of fruits, bark and even wood, which also has a reddish tint.
• The trunks of young trees and the branches of mature plants are dark purple in color.
• The leaves are oval, 8 cm long and 4 cm wide. Young foliage has pubescence, which also covers the petioles. Subsequently, the edge is retained only on the petioles. The color of the leaves is dense green with a red tint, sometimes dark purple with a purple tint. The leaf petioles are crimson.
• The crown is spherical.
• Large flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm grow on white stalks. Dark purple buds open to form flowers with bright pink, raspberry and purple petals.
• Flowering period - 2 weeks in the second half of May. Trees begin to bloom in the 5th year of life.
• The fruits are apples of paradise, they can be small or large, weighing up to 200 grams, the spherical shape tapers slightly towards the top. The skin of the apple is dark purple-red and covered with a waxy coating. The flesh of the fruit is sweet, pink with a purple tint, and very dense.

Tree undemanding to soil, but growth in nutrient-rich soil will be more successful. Groundwater located close to the surface shortens the life of the plant. The method of reproduction is grafting. They are transplanted into the nursery in the third year after grafting. Grows well in the south and southwest of Russia.

In central Russia it is cold for the Nedzvetsky variety. But on its basis, hybrids have been bred that perfectly tolerate frosts of the temperate climate zone and have retained the decorative advantages of the original plant.

• Royalty.
• Royal Bewley.
• Rudolf.
• Makovetsky.

Variety "Royalty". The decorative apple tree “Royalty”, even among the red-leaved varieties, stands out for its original foliage. The leaf blades of the tree are shiny and of such a rich dark red color that they seem almost purple. Flowering is lush and abundant, begins in May and covers the first week of June. The flowers have pink-red petals that densely cover the crown.

"Royalty" reaches a height of 4-5 meters, has a short trunk with a crown with a diameter of about 4 meters. The tree will have the characteristic leaf color of the variety only if it grows in a sunny area with some shade. The soil should be fertile and moderately moist, although the plant can easily tolerate prolonged drought. Pruning is recommended to maintain the shape of the crown. The tree grows slowly, bears fruit with small red apples, and is frost-resistant.

The “weak points” of the variety include susceptibility to infection by diseases and pests: scab, powdery mildew and late blight.

The plant withstands industrial air pollution, so it is often used for landscaping city squares, parks, squares, and courtyards. The tree looks great alone or in a group with other ornamental plants.

Variety "Ola". Large flowers up to 4 cm in diameter have pink or pink-red petals. Lush flowering occurs in May. The height of the tree reaches 4-5 meters, the crown is round. Spring leaves have a light red color; in the summer season the foliage acquires a slight shine and green color. In winter and autumn, the decorative appearance of the plant is maintained thanks to the many red fruits that remain on the branches of the tree.

Ornamental apple trees of the “Ola” variety grow well on medium-fertile soils, which is explained by their undemanding nature in terms of soil composition. The tree calmly tolerates the gas pollution of the urban atmosphere and is little susceptible to scab infection, so the variety is readily grown in the parks of megacities. When composing a landscape composition, designers usually place the red-leaved apple tree “Ola” in the center of the plant ensemble.

Variety "Royal Beauty". A tree 3-4 meters high has high decorative qualities:

Red-leaved apple tree "Royal Beauty" is a low weeping apple tree, therefore suitable for small cozy gardens. The variety has an advantage over other weeping trees due to its frost resistance.

It is recommended to choose a planting site in a sunny area with sandy soil rich in minerals. During the flowering period, the apple tree does not tolerate a lack of moisture; during the rest of the growing season, the tree is not sensitive to the degree of soil moisture.

Exceptional decorative qualities And small sizes allow you to plant a tree separately from other plants in the garden. The apple tree itself is beautiful even outside of compositions. However, a plant ensemble of an apple tree with other dwarf trees and shrubs will be no less impressive.

Variety "Rudolph". Bred by Canadian breeders. Young plants have a pyramid-shaped crown; with age, the tree crown becomes spreading. The height of the apple tree is about 6 meters. The leaves are brown with a red tint in spring, then turn brown-green. The buds are red, the blooming flowers have pink-red petals.

Fruiting is abundant, decorative apples ripen red-orange. The tree loves sunny places, fertile and well-drained soil. The "Rudolph" variety enriches the landscape design of parks, gardens, and personal plots.

Variety "Makovetsky". The height of the tree is about 5 meters. Semicircular, dense crown of almost spherical shape. Red leaves, pink lush flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. The tree has high frost resistance.

Red-leaved ornamental apple trees in landscape design are a great opportunity to enrich the palette of gardens and parks. Rich flowering, frost resistance, and bright foliage color explain the constant popularity of trees among gardeners.

No one passes by the blooming ranetki indifferently. Especially if their color is even slightly different from white.

How and where they are planted:

• Public parks and places in populated areas;
• Beautiful alleys of such apple trees.
  Especially during the flowering period and with a variety of small fruits:
• More and more of them can be found in individual private areas with a vast territory:
  • One by one;
  • Group;
  • Combined and complex.

• And they try to choose crown shapes that are more attractive for them. As:
  • trellis;
  • cordons;
  • garden bonsai.
• These apple trees are planted in most cases to decorate areas;
• The fruits of these apple trees are not of particular interest:
  • They are even very small in size;
  • And many will not even suit the taste;
  • Their abundance attracts birds more. Especially in winter;
  • But there are varieties suitable for consumption and processing. Compotes and jams pleasantly surprise with their taste and aroma. And they even look original;
• Here some edible varieties:
  • Ola;
  • Makamik;
  • Golden Hornet;
  • Long (Long);
  • Makowieckiana;
  • Pioneer.

There is plenty to choose from. About 200 are already known. More species than in Russia, only in China:

• The size of the crown and its shape in the form of a ball or umbrella;
• Leaf color;
• Color, size, shape of fruits;
• And what a variety of flowers;
• These apple trees attract not only people with their abundant and fragrant blossoms. But also insects. They are good pollinators for the garden.

You have heard about some varieties of such apple trees:

• Lesnaya;
• Plum leaf or Chinese;
• Abundantly flowering;
• Wonderful. It has been cultivated for more than six thousand years in Japan and China. There are facts about eight thousand years;
• Manchurian.

Let's look at the most famous and popular ones. Or maybe original. You will immediately understand what these decorative apple trees are.

Varieties of ornamental apple trees

Nedzvetsky apple tree (Red Kuldzhinka)

• In the Trans-Ili Alatau in the nineteenth century, this apple tree was noticed by a famous Russian botanist. And named after him;
• Tree with a round shape may have different heights. Starting from 3 meters and up to six;
• In spring, the leaves acquire a reddish-brown color. In summer they take on a different color. Already dark purple. Including the lower part of the leaves;
• The pedicels are long. How the tassels are placed on them large flowers also with purple-crimson tones.

Niedzwiecki apple tree.

Please note:

• Apple trees begin to bloom in May. Most often this is after the 12-15th. Or maybe at the beginning of June. How is the weather. And what region;
• In the second half of August, the apples are already ripe. Stable yields after ten years. The color is difficult to describe. And purple. And dark red. And the inside is pinkish.

Has everything to use in breeding:

• Resistance to frost, drought, disease;
• Unpretentiousness in cultivation;
• Its best qualities were inherited by hybrids:
  • Nikolina;
  • Lemoine;
  • Ellie.

You can find out more about the Niedzwiecki apple tree here.

Sargentii

• Japanese apple tree. Its homeland is the mountainous regions of Japan. In Europe since the end of the 19th century;
• Low shrub. Height – up to 2 meters, crown width – up to 3 meters;
• Green in spring, the leaves turn orange-yellow in autumn;
• This beautiful bloom is observed in May for almost two weeks;
• Dark red round fruits in September, even the ripe ones are not surprising in size - only about 1 cm in diameter. The stalks are elongated. Apples have a waxy coating. They remain on the tree for a long time;
• Apple trees grow and bear fruit to a mature age. And 50 years is not the limit for them. When leaving;
• Select and plant on fertile soils;
• And he loves the sun.

Sargent.

Royalty

• Hybrid. Purple apple trees;
• She, in turn, has roots from the Niedzwiecki apple tree;
• Trees in an ornamental environment quite low - only 5-6 meters in height;
• And the crown width is up to 5 meters;
• They can also be in the form of a bush;
• With red leaves and flowers;
• Original oval dark purple leaves. They turn red in autumn;

Attention! Very compact when young. Mature trees are spreading. Need

formative pruning

• Application:
  • Parks, alleys and squares;
  • Private houses have become increasingly common in recent years;
  • Less in summer cottages.
• They bloom for almost two weeks in May. Large ruby-colored or raspberry-red flowers fill everything around with aroma;
• The fruits are small. Not suitable for consumption;
• Frost resistance and drought resistance allow planting in many regions;
• Carry out preventive treatments against diseases and pests. After all, this is an apple tree. And she needs attention and care.

You will learn more about the Royalty variety from this article.

Rudolf

• The height of the rounded apple trees does not exceed 6 meters. Usually about five meters. But the crown becomes more spreading in mature trees;
• Large white and pink flowers completely cover leaves and branches;
• Yellow fruits reach even 3 cm in diameter;
• But to eat or not to eat? Better in canned form;
• They don't fall off for a long time. Plant in full sun and fertile soil.

Please note:

• Perform regular pruning;
• Not only sanitary;
• Formative also;
• And it's better in early spring. Maintenance only makes the trees more attractive. And their winter hardiness increases.

Read more about the Rudolph apple tree in this article.

Ola

• Both the height of the tree and the width of its crown do not exceed 5 meters;
• The leaves attract attention. Especially the purple tint is shiny and green in color;
• They delight others with their blossoms in May. Stands with very beautiful large pink flowers. Completely a ball of this color;
• The fruits are about 3 cm in diameter. Crimson red, they do not fall from the tree for a long time.

Remember! The tasty fruits are very suitable for consumption. Especially for jams and compotes.

Before planting, consider:

• Can you provide fertile soil? Well fertilized and constantly moistened;
• Perform regular spring pruning;
• Treat systematically against diseases and pests.

The sun loves. But even in partial shade it feels confident. As with frosts and winds.

You can find out more about the Ola apple tree here.

Helena

• A distinctive feature of this variety is their slight height. No more than 4 meters it can grow. Even with good care and feeding;
• Dark pink leaves not large. Up to 7 cm;
• Large purple flowers They begin to bloom even in April. But more often in May;
• Red fruits grow to small sizes. Edible with a sweet and sour taste. And fragrant;
• It takes root well and grows even in areas with harsh climates. Its ability to withstand diseases, frosts and droughts allows this.

Makamic

• Tall trees (up to 6-7 meters not uncommon) with a thick crown shaped like a tent;
• The oval leaves change color from purple when they bloom to dark green;
• Very beautiful purple flowers. Even with terry;
• The fruits are red in color. Even 2.5 cm in diameter;
• Gardeners prefer planting in spring in well-fertilized planting holes in lighted areas;
• And they suggest feeding:
  • In spring, nitrogen fertilizers;
  • In autumn - better with phosphorus and potassium;
  • Can be combined with watering.
• Can cope with diseases. With your help;
• Carry out formative spring pruning. And remove damaged ones;
• Protect from rodents during the winter.

Royal Beauty

• A very successful fast-growing hybrid;
• It grows up to 3 meters. And the crown does not exceed 2 meters;
• Blooms for about two weeks in early May. Dark red buds turn into large and fragrant crimson flowers;
• Many designers give it preference in landscape design because drooping, as if weeping branches. And it’s worth it - more than 500 rubles per seedling;
• If the crown is not regularly trimmed, it takes on an oval or spherical appearance;
• The glossy foliage is purple in spring, becoming a rich crimson color in autumn.

Remember! The fruits are not for eating. For beauty.

Royal Beauty.

Read more information about the Royal Beauty apple tree in this article.

Yagodnaya (Siberian)

• Globular crown. It may also be bushy. If you form it properly. Or you will forget to look after her;
• Grows in various conditions;
• They take root better in sunny places. And in well-drained soil. And in shaded areas;
• Therefore, gardeners very often use it as a rootstock for grafting. More valuable varieties;
• White flowers smell throughout the whole area;
• The fruits are a pleasure to look at. Variety of colors - Orange and red. And yellow ones.
• The color depends on the variety. Their size is only 5-10 mm in diameter;
• The agricultural technology responds to good views, abundant flowering, and many small apples;
• Its varieties (or forms) are well known:
  • Graceful;
  • Yellow bordered;
  • Pink terry.

You can find out more about the Yagodnaya apple tree here.

Everest

• Grows up to almost 6 meters. This is the size of the crown shape. Round and spreading;
• Pink stripes are noticeable on the edges of white flowers. Quite large - up to 3.5 cm in diameter;
• The ovoid, dark green leaves have a matte tint;
• The fruits are slightly flattened. With a red-orange color. They grow up to 3 cm in diameter.
• The barely noticeable gray-blue stripe attracts everyone's attention;
• Thin stalks of the same length;
• Combined plantings are very common. Near tall trees. They are also used as a hedge. In the form of trellises.

Profusion

• Tall tree up to 6 meters. Crown diameter - up to 5 meters;
• Young dark red leaves turn green-brownish in summer. And in the fall they are already amber-brown;
• The sizes of multi-colored flowers and buds always attract attention:
  • Bright red;
  • Lilac-violet;
  • Pinkish-red;
  • They fill everything around with aroma.
• Small apples (up to 1.5 cm in diameter) remain on trees for a long time;
  Even in winter. A good treat for birds;
• Plant where the sun dominates. And in groups with other ornamental plants and flowers;
• Designed for city alleys and parks;
• Withstands frosts;
• Loamy fertile soils are more suitable. With watering.

Prof.

Golden Hornet

• A well-established and long-established variety. Received in 1949 in England;
• The crown is impressive and beautiful. Height and width up to 6 meters. It can also be a multi-stemmed bush;
• The buds are purple-pink. The flowers are pink with a white border. Flowering occurs in May;
• Large yellow fruits for this species– up to 3 cm in diameter. Make a note to yourself. Suitable for consumption and processing;
• They remain on the tree even until frost;

Please note! Young shoots may freeze. Timely and systematic agricultural practices will contribute to good winter hardiness.

• Quite often asked in nurseries. But the price of a 2-year-old seedling is... 2500 rubles.

Golden Hornet.

Long (Long, Chinese, Plum-leaved)

• This variety cannot be ignored;
• American variety, and the roots are Siberian;
• Zoned in the Siberian regions, North-West;
• Elongated fruit shape gave the name to the variety;
• Pyramidal, if you want a vertical crown;
• Dark green large leaves and white flowers;
• AND a lot of apples. Not large - even more than 3 cm in diameter. They even weigh -20-25 grams. But a lot. Red ovoid fruits. They are confused with plums;
• Ripen at the end of August. They can lie there for twenty days;
• The main purpose is decorative and processing into compotes and preserves. You can collect 200 kg of apples from one tree;
• It is listed in the price lists of nurseries on a par with the famous large apples.

Prairie Fire (Prairie Lights)

• The crown diameter can be up to 5 meters;
• The purple color of the foliage changes to red-green. By autumn;
• The purple-red-green flowers are unique;
• And they also surprise red-brown bark and dark red fruits. Even up to 5 cm in diameter.
• Preserved on the tree in winter;
• Particularly popular in Canada and New Zealand. Its popularity is growing here too. High resistance to scab – one of the arguments in favor of this variety.

Prairie Fire.

Robin

• This variety has Baltic roots. The result of crossing Siberian berry and Nedzvetsky. In natural conditions;
• A medium-sized tree with a dense spherical crown. Its height can be up to 6 meters;
• The raspberry-colored fruits and aroma give the variety its name;
• The rounded leaves are green with redness only in autumn. And from spring and summer purple in color;
• Small for regular apples, large for decorative ones. The shape is difficult to determine. But about 3 cm in diameter. In huge quantities. With raspberry flavor;
• Very good for making compotes;
• Tree care is normal;
• It bears fruit already in the 4th year.

Robin.

Useful photos and videos

Decorative apple tree in a park area.

Decorative apple tree at a summer cottage.

Watch a video about decorative apple trees:

Watch a video about the features of caring for an ornamental apple tree:

Watch a video about the use of ornamental apple trees in landscape design:

Watch a video about pruning ornamental apple trees:

Conclusion

• Nowadays, more than ever, a lot of attention is paid to the design of squares, parks, public gardens, and streets;
• And the territories of private houses. To which the name estate is more suitable. It's not about the apples and their taste;
• The variety of ornamental apples can give you a variety of options;
• And there are plenty of beautiful types of trees with pink flowers.

Advice! When purchasing, be careful and picky. The photo and description do not always correspond to the variety you are interested in. Good luck!

Don’t know how to decorate your garden and have already gone through all the unusual plants? A decorative apple tree in the design of a country plot will be a real find, while remaining undemanding in terms of care and placement.

All the apple trees, both varietal and wild, bloom mesmerizingly, but this miracle does not last long, and then ordinary, unremarkable trees remain on the site. Of course, ripe apples are also decorative, but they only decorate trees for a couple of weeks. Ornamental apple trees are the same thing - in the spring their flowering lasts for 2 weeks, in the summer they delight with bright leaves, and in the fall and winter they are strewn with small apples that stay on the branches for a long time and withstand bad weather.

How to plant a decorative apple tree

Ornamental apple trees are not capricious, take root well in most soils and do not require special skills from the gardener. Their only “wish” is a well-lit area. It is in the sun that their decorative qualities are maximized, and you get not just a simple tree, but the pride of the entire garden.

Of course, ornamental apple trees prefer light, fertile soils, but they also grow in acidified and depleted soils. They even tolerate planting well in unfavorable urban environments and will probably not take root only on rocky soil or bare sand.

The root system of ornamental apple trees is superficial, so they grow even in areas with close groundwater, although they do not achieve the declared growth. Because of their spreading crown, it is better to plant apple trees separately from flower beds, in individual plantings or in groups with shade-tolerant plants. Young apple trees bend easily and tolerate pruning, so they can be formed into a tree of any shape, a hedge, or even put on a trellis.

Otherwise, a decorative apple tree is planted in the same way as an ordinary one.

Planting an apple tree: how to plant a seedling correctly (photo, video)

Everything you need to know about “proper” planting of an apple tree.

Caring for an ornamental apple tree

A frost- and drought-resistant apple tree, properly planted in a lighted place, will require a minimum of effort from you. You will only have to think about it 3 times a year, unless, of course, you try to model something special from its crown.

In spring, it is advisable to feed the ornamental apple tree with complex mineral fertilizer (superphosphate, ammophosphate, nitroammophoska, 15-30 g per tree). In summer you need to water the tree at least once a month, and in dry weather it is better every 2-3 weeks. And finally, in the fall, moisture-recharging watering and sanitary pruning should be carried out, removing diseased and dried branches.

The apple tree reacts calmly to pruning, quickly healing wounds and coming to its senses, but even in the complete absence of pruning it also does not suffer. Thickening of the crown does not threaten it, because it only makes it more decorative.

Types and varieties of ornamental apple trees

There are ornamental apple trees all over the world, but not all of them are suitable for growing in our climate. Of course, fragile Asian beauties can also take root in the south of Russia, but it is better to choose adapted species. In the middle zone, the Nedzvetsky apple tree, Sargent apple tree, hybrid apple tree and berry apple tree bloom and grow well.

The hybrid apple tree has the most varieties. Here are the most popular of them, which can be bought in nurseries and stores.

Is it possible to eat decorative apples?

The inquisitive mind of our people truly knows no rest. The question of whether these small bright apples can be eaten occupies everyone, and there is not a single gardener who would not dare to try them.

Fortunately, the fruits of most varieties are quite edible and even tasty. Only a few apple trees have sour or tart fruits, which only birds like when fresh. However, some gardeners have become adept at preserving and processing these mini-fruits.

The rules for eating decorative apples are exactly the same as regular apples - wash and eat, make compote or jam. It’s just inconvenient to prepare juice from them - it produces too much pulp.

When choosing an ornamental apple tree for the first time, many gardeners doubt that this tree will suit them. However, after a few years, having fallen in love with the beauty, grace and delicate aroma of its flowers, they go for the next seedling or create a whole alley of ornamental apple trees.

Moreover, the fruits of some varieties of these apple trees are generally inedible and can even cause an eating disorder. But this in no way detracts from the decorative merits of the trees: these crops are charming both in bloom and in the fall.

Description of ornamental apple trees and their photos

The genus includes 50 species growing in temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Small, up to 10 m tall, fruit and ornamental trees, often with an irregular, rounded crown, less often shrubs. It may have a tall, spreading, round or umbrella-shaped crown.

The trunk bark is dark gray. Valued for its varied summer leaf colors - it can be olive-colored or intensely green. Some varieties may have dark green leaves with reddish-purple veins.

Leaves- elliptical or oblong-ovate, up to 10 cm long, dark green in summer, yellow or reddish in autumn.

As can be seen in the photo, the flowers of ornamental apple trees are up to 3-4 cm in diameter, fragrant, white, pink or carmine, on pubescent pedicels, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences:

Some varieties have brightly colored buds of soft pink or snow-white color. The flowering tree slowly changes color. The flowers of many varieties have a strong, delicate aroma. During mass flowering, the smell of flowers, spreading over a considerable distance, attracts insects. Flowering under optimal weather conditions lasts on average 10-12 days, but the budding phase significantly lengthens the decorative time of trees.

Fruit- apple-shaped, brightly colored in many species. The size, depending on the variety, can be the size of a small apricot. The fruits of most varieties are edible, but do not have high taste.

Inside the fruit there are 5 nests formed by leathery valves containing seeds; the pulp is formed due to the expanding, fleshy receptacle.

All varieties are good abundantly flowering honey plants.

Resistant to frost and drought, tolerate dust, gas contamination and soil salinity. They prefer sunny places and do not like stagnant moisture. Planting them is quite simple. Care and pruning are the same as for ordinary types of apple trees.

They reproduce by sowing seeds, in early autumn - freshly harvested, late - after 1.5-2 months of stratification, in spring sowing - stratification from December before sowing with removal at the end of the stratification period under the snow. Rare species, decorative forms and varieties are propagated by grafting.

Used for single and group plantings in parks and forest parks, for intra-block landscaping. They are also good in garden plots.

Below you can read the descriptions of varieties of ornamental apple trees and see their photographs.

Decorative apple trees Royalty and Rudolph

Decorative apple tree Royalty is one of the hybrid forms of the purple apple tree, bred on the basis of the Central Asian Niedzvetsky apple tree.

The trees are small, with a slow growth rate, their maximum height does not exceed 4 - 6 meters. Sometimes trees take the form of ornamental shrubs. The crown is oval and reaches a diameter of 4 - 5 meters; at a young age it is more compact, but over time it becomes wider and spreading. If the crown is not trimmed, then gradually it takes the form of an irregular oval or ball.

The leaves are narrowed, with a glossy surface, pubescent, elliptical or oblong-ovate, up to 8 - 12 cm long, of a very beautiful dark purple color. By the autumn season, the leaves become a little lighter and acquire a rich red color, without losing their decorative effect.

When the trees are completely leafy, the leaf blade can retain a purple color only on the bottom, and on top becomes dark green.

Widely used in landscape design of private gardens and households, public parks and squares: in single, group and alley plantings, when creating “live” hedges, seasonal compositions, contrasting tree and shrub groups. Often planted in front of the facades of administrative buildings.

Flowering is very abundant, begins in early May and lasts about 2 weeks. In very dry and hot climates, flowers can fade quite quickly, and the total flowering period is reduced to 2 - 4 days. The buds are large in size, rich dark red in color. The flowers are numerous, large in size, unusually fragrant, ruby ​​or crimson-red in color, held on thin, white-tomentose peduncles.

At the beginning of autumn, the flowers produce small fruits, slightly oblong in shape, dark red in color with a bluish waxy coating. They usually ripen in mid-September and are held on long stalks.

They are not edible and can sometimes even cause acute food poisoning if consumed directly.

The variety is frost-resistant, wind- and drought-resistant. In conditions of a long, harsh winter, flower buds may freeze slightly. Resistance to powdery mildew is good. Resistance to scab is not very high, so regular preventive treatment against this disease is required.

Basic care is the same as for ordinary fruit trees. For planting, it is preferable to choose sunny or semi-shaded areas, since they are light-loving varieties. Trees are undemanding when it comes to soil, but medium loams, rich sandy loams, fertile and moderately moist soils are still recommended.

Decorative apple tree Rudolph- a tree 4-6 m high, with a rounded crown, becoming spreading with age. Fragrant pink-white flowers, up to 5 cm in size, are collected in bouquet inflorescences, completely covering the branches and leaves during flowering. Fruiting is abundant, spherical fruits up to 2.5 cm in diameter are yellow, stay on the branches for a long time. Winter-hardy. Maximum decorative in open sunny places. Loves fertile soil with low groundwater levels. Requires regular pruning. Responds well to feeding.

Suitable for growing in single, group and alley plantings.

Varieties of ornamental apple trees Ola and Helena

Decorative apple tree Ola– a tree up to 4.5 meters tall, with a round, openwork crown. The leaves are shiny, green in color, with a purple tint during the blooming period. Blooms profusely in May with large pink flowers. The fruits are small, up to 3 cm in diameter, red-purple in color, and remain on the tree until late autumn, giving the plant a special decorative appearance.

It is demanding on soil composition, prefers moist and moderately moist soils, and does not tolerate wetlands at all. Sun-loving, tolerates partial shade. Frost-resistant and wind-resistant. The variety is resistant to diseases and pests. In early spring, it is advisable to prune young trees to stimulate flowering and crown formation.

It is one of the most beautiful modern varieties.

Look at the photo of this variety of ornamental apple trees - it is distinguished by an unusually elegant, openwork crown, which in the spring is covered with a cap of large pink flowers with a wonderful aroma:

Suitable for planting as a tapeworm on the lawn. Looks very good in group planting in an array, in parks and squares, as well as for constructing a high hedge.

Decorative apple tree Helena- a low tree with a spreading crown of 3-4 m. The leaves are purple, glossy, three-lobed. Beautiful abundant flowering in spring. Large purple flowers bloom in April-May. The fruits are red and small.

Winter-hardy, frost-resistant, drought-resistant. Prefers moist and fertile soils with a slightly acidic reaction. Resistant to diseases.

Used as a tapeworm on the lawn, in compositions with trees and shrubs, alleys, hedges, and forms picturesque arches.

Description of ornamental apple trees Makamik and Yagodnaya

Decorative apple tree Makamik– an ornamental tree 5-7 m in height, with a dense tent-shaped crown. The leaves are oval, purple when opening, then dark green. Purple flowers in spring, red fruits ripen in autumn.

Winter-hardy, frost-resistant. Photophilous. Prefers moist and fertile soils with a slightly acidic reaction. Resistant to diseases.

It is advisable to plant in the spring; during autumn planting, a large loss occurs. Planting in filled planting holes. Fertilize twice a season: in the spring - nitrogen fertilizers, in the fall - potassium and phosphorus.

Formative pruning in the spring also removes diseased, damaged shoots. The wounds must be covered with garden varnish. During dry periods, it is advisable to water. In winter, protective measures must be taken against mice and hares.

Decorative apple tree Berry– an unpretentious variety, used as a rootstock. Rounded crown or slightly vertical. The fragrant flowers are white. The foliage is green.

A very small-fruited species, 6 - 10 mm in diameter, with several varieties having some morphological differences and different habitats. The fruits are spherical, yellow, red or orange.

Sometimes it grows as a bush.

The requirements for growing conditions are the same as for conventional varieties. The place for planting is sunny or slightly shaded; the soil needs to be fertile and drained. After planting, it is better to mulch the soil in the tree trunk circles. From the second year after planting, you can start feeding.

Varieties of decorative apple trees Everest and Profusion

Decorative apple tree Everest– decorative tree up to 4-6 m tall, up to 5 m in diameter. The flowers are white with pink stripes along the edges of the petals, simple, rosette-shaped, up to 3-3.5 cm in diameter, wrinkled and curved inward.

The fruits are round or slightly flattened, without cups, 1.5-2.3 cm long and 2.6 in diameter, orange-red, with a red stripe and a barely noticeable bluish-gray stripe, a thin stalk up to 3 cm long.

The leaves are alternate, ovate, sometimes 3-lobed, serrated edges, dark green, matte shiny, carmine-red petiole, 2.5-3 cm long.

It is distinguished by a rather loose crown with dark green foliage, simple white flowers with pink stripes along the edges of the petals, and orange-red fruits with a thin red stripe.

Used in group and alley plantings in parks, gardens and squares, in the form of tapeworms, in the edges of tall groups of trees. Good for flowering, free-growing and trellis hedges. Used to create tree and shrub groups and seasonal compositions.

Decorative apple tree Profuzhn– a tree with a wide crown up to 6 m tall, crown diameter 4-5 m. Young leaves are dark red, green with a brown tint in summer, shiny, amber-brown in autumn.

Blooms profusely in May. The buds are large red, the flowers are numerous, large, up to 3.5-4 cm, lilac, pink-red, with a pleasant aroma.

The fruits are spherical, red, small, 1.5 cm. They are stored on the branches in winter.

It is undemanding to soil, but prefers medium loams, moderately moist and fertile.

Photophilous. Frost-resistant. Plant in open sunny areas, together with other tree species, in the background of flower beds with bright spring flowers.

One of the most beautiful varieties when flowering. Resistant to urban conditions.

A decorative apple tree is a separate option for decorating your garden in a unique way. It is grown solely for its appearance. These plants are small in size and often bear inedible fruits. As representatives of ground cover plants, ornamental apple trees can look not only like trees, but also like deciduous shrubs. All of them have attractive white, pink, purple flowers. The fruits can be green, red, orange, and do not exceed 4 cm in size. With their elegance, decorative apple trees delight the eye until mid-winter, and sometimes longer. During this cold season, birds can also feed on them.

Weeping

The second name of this variety is riverine apple tree. It is distributed mainly in North America, but also grows well on our continent, in this climate. Withstands even severe frosts, thanks to its thick bark. Capable of reaching a height of up to 12 m, provided proper care is taken.

It got its name due to the fact that, under the weight of leaves and apples, its flexible branches bend more and more towards the ground in the process of their life.

Nedzvetsky

This variety is most common in our area. According to many gardeners, it has no equal among fruit trees. It has an oval crown, which reaches a maximum height of 3.5 m, while the width is about 2.5 m, which gives it an even more rounded, cozy appearance. This beauty has purple flowers that attract the eye, crimson fruits about 4 cm in diameter. The only negative is that this variety can be damaged by severe frosts.

Apple tree with red leaves

Since this apple tree is a hybrid, it perfectly withstands all unfavorable conditions that can overtake it. Also, one of its advantages is its apparent resistance to scab and other diseases that affect its sisters.

The apple tree with red leaves grows up to 4 m in height and up to 3 m in width. Initially it produces purple leaves, and when the red apples ripen, it turns emerald. A red decorative apple tree delights its owner with a riot of colors. Tolerates frosts well.

Royalty

It differs in that it grows very slowly - from 8 to 10 years. After this time, you can get a tall representative - up to 5 m in height and 4 m in crown diameter. It has unusual narrow leaves with a glossy purple tint. In autumn, they acquire a red tint, but do not lose their brightness and attractiveness. It is also resistant to frost, but does not tolerate acidification of the soil and stagnation of moisture in it.

Robin

It looks like a low bush in the shape of an oval. It has a wide dense crown. It differs in that its buds have a rich red color, which attracts attention even before they bloom. As a result, the apple tree is covered with red flowers, which begin to emit a pleasant raspberry aroma.

Chinese

It differs in that it has edible fruits, from which jam and compotes are often made. Perfectly suited for development in our regions, as well as more northern ones. This wild variety grows very quickly, approximately 20–30 cm every year. Capable of growing up to 10 meters in height. She is the owner of pleasant emerald leaves and snow-white flowers, which cover her during the flowering period and resemble a snowball.

Pioneer

Low representatives that can easily be formed into a crown, which makes it possible to make a hedge out of them. It is enough to correctly trim the young shoots, and you will get the hedge of your dreams. This representative of ornamental apple trees has bright blooms, which is why during this period it is all red.

Royal Beauty

Many gardeners note that this is the most beautiful representative with a weeping crown. Therefore, it is widely used in landscape design. The foliage has a rich red color, but by autumn it already has a green tint, gradually becoming emerald. Both the flowers and fruits have a purple tint, which makes this Royal Beauty attractive.

Rudolf

In order to decorate gardens and plots in a relatively short time, hybrid varieties were bred. Rudolph can also be included among them. It is quite tall, reaches 5 m in height, and has fairly dense foliage of a fresh green color. When all necessary conditions are created, it can bloom for up to 1 month, which causes great demand in the plant market for the design and decoration of various gardens and plots.

Her flowers are white, collected in beautiful umbrellas of inflorescences. After Rudolph fades, honey-yellow apples appear, about 3 cm in diameter. By the way, they can be preserved and used in the form of jam. Externally, the rich, dense foliage with yellow apples looks very advantageous.

Planting and care

As a rule, these fruit trees are propagated by seeds.

One-year-old seedlings are planted in the ground in autumn or spring. Before planting a decorative apple tree, place the root system in water for 1 hour.

It is necessary to ensure that the roots do not dry out, this will negatively affect the further development of the seedling in your garden. The first year should not be fertilized, and in subsequent years, competent systematic feeding is mandatory. Sunny places or areas in slight shade are most suitable for planting.

You should choose drained soils rich in essential substances. It is useful to use mulching with high-moor peat. Instead, you can use nut shells, pine bark or wood chips. These methods will help protect the soil from drying out. In addition, with a layer of mulch it is easier to weed, loosen, and water.

These plants do not like pruning. Therefore, it must be done carefully, cutting off branches that have dried or frozen after winter. This should be done in early spring. It is also necessary to remove and untangle branches growing deep into the crown, avoiding excessive thickening.

In order for the pollination process to occur, apple trees of a different variety are planted nearby. These trees feel best in single-species garden plots. Pear is suitable for the neighborhood; compatibility with it is most favorable. It can also be placed next to cherries, sweet cherries, quince, plums, and raspberries. They do not get along at all with apricot, peach, walnut, barberry, lilac, and viburnum. The root system of some neighbors produces a depressing effect. Therefore, choose your planting location in your garden carefully.

In the spring you should definitely spray with insecticides. You should not carry out chemical pest control during flowering and fruiting. Despite the fact that most often the fruits of this variety are not eaten, they are eaten by birds. As you know, birds rid the garden of unnecessary insect pests. Chemicals can harm birds. Do not forget that bright apples can attract the attention of a child, who will pick and eat an apple treated with insecticides.

Unfortunately, such varieties are susceptible to diseases such as scab and powdery mildew. One of the most dangerous enemies is the burn. It is caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora. It spreads very quickly throughout the garden and is incurable. The secret to success is proper care and care. Then your garden will be the most beautiful!

Video “Overview of decorative apple trees”

From this video you will learn about the variety of varieties of ornamental apple trees and hear tips on caring for them.

There are about 50 species and more than 190 cultivated varieties of ornamental apple trees.

Ornamental apple trees are unpretentious to their growing conditions. Planting a decorative apple tree with red leaves is considered especially chic. This plant allows you to create bright accents and decorate even shady corners of the garden.

In cultivation it is a low tree, which rarely reaches 10 meters at the top of its crown. Ornamental apple trees can also be shrubby forms of the crop. In the absence of pruning, the crown is formed in the form of an irregular oval or ball.

Some varieties can bear fruit successfully, but the fruits do not have pleasant organoleptic properties.

The color of the bark of the stem part can vary from pastel gray to rich brown. When choosing a variety of ornamental apple tree, the shape and color of the leaf blade deserves special attention. Some species are presented with a red color and a long period of not falling leaves in the autumn. This allows you to create magnificent landscapes even with a poor soil mixture and unfavorable weather conditions.

Most varieties of ornamental apple trees have dense foliage of a rich green color, which transforms into a yellow and red riot of colors only in late August - early September. The average length of an ellipsoid or plum-shaped leaf is 100 mm.

During the flowering period, the entire crown is densely covered with fragrant flowers, which can reach a diameter of 40 mm. The main color is white, which can have various shades of pink, peach, ivory, etc. Single flowers are collected into bouquets of inflorescences using stems.

Fruit formation begins immediately after flowering. In the center of each flower there is a receptacle, which gradually grows and fills with pulp. The outer color of the fruit is first green, then, as it ripens, it changes to yellow and red.

These trees have fantastic resistance to adverse environmental factors. This is a frost-resistant crop that grows successfully even in the northern regions of our country.

Planting ornamental apple trees

It is best to plant such apple trees in the spring, before the first buds appear, or in the fall, in September and the first half of October. Young seedlings up to 4 years old can be planted in both spring and autumn, but older ones, which do not adapt well to a new place, can only be planted in autumn.

Particular attention should be paid to the distance to neighboring plants. For ornamental apple trees, it is necessary to provide a lot of free space; they should not grow in close proximity to large plants. For each plant, you need to leave as much space as its crown will spread in adulthood: the diameter of a tree of a particular variety should be the main guideline. The classic option is an area of ​​about 5-6 m (respectively, a distance of 2-3 m to neighboring crops).

For ornamental apple trees, you need to dig large planting holes in advance, preferably in the fall of the previous year or at least 1 month before planting. The diameter of the planting hole is about 80 cm and the depth is about 1 m - ideal. The soil removed from the holes must be replaced with a special substrate. A two-fold portion of sand and a three-fold portion of humus are mixed with the leaf soil. If possible, 250-300 g of complete mineral fertilizer is mixed into the soil. Without pre-planting improvement, apple trees will take a long time to take root and will take a lot of time to achieve the desired size. The planting depth is similar to all apple trees: the root collar should be 5-10 cm above the ground level.

Caring for ornamental apple trees and pest control

Apple trees need fertile, well-drained soil. The planting site should be located in the sun; heavily shaded areas are not suitable for these trees. Moderate watering is required; water stagnation should not be allowed. It is recommended to mulch decorative apple trees. Peat, sawdust, conifer bark, and nut shells are suitable for this.

In the spring, it is necessary to carry out disease prevention and spray the trees with insecticides.

If you do not plan to eat the fruits of ornamental apple trees, you can destroy pests during flowering and fruiting. However, it is still not recommended to do this if there may be children on the site, who are often attracted by delicious small apples. The fruits also serve as food for birds, which may be harmed by the toxins. Therefore, in order to avoid poisoning by toxic substances, pest control of ornamental apple trees with chemicals is carried out before the beginning of the growing season.

Ornamental apple trees, like fruit trees, are most susceptible to scab, powdery mildew, and bacteria that cause a disease known as blight. If a burn occurs, the tree must be destroyed, as this dangerous disease quickly and actively spreads throughout the garden.

Propagation of ornamental apple trees

Ornamental types of apple trees can be propagated by seeds. They are sown immediately after harvest in early autumn or after stratification for 1.5-2 months at the end of autumn.

Only rare species and varietal apple trees with improved characteristics that are not transmitted by seed are propagated exclusively by grafting.

Cuttings are not the most productive, but acceptable method. For most apple trees, the survival rate does not exceed 5-15%, even when treated with growth stimulants.

Varieties of ornamental apple trees

Ornamental floribunda apple tree (Malus floribunda)

Luxurious Japanese apple tree - apple tree (Malus floribunda). Suitable for small cottages, because... it is up to 4 m high. It is often a shrub with outstretched, sometimes prickly branches and ovoid dark green leaves, 4-8 cm long. The flowers are very abundant, carmine-red in buds, pale pink after blooming, 2.5- in diameter 3.0 cm, in bunches of 4-7 on purple pedicels; bloom in May. The fruits are spherical, small, 1-2 cm in diameter, reddish-yellow; ripen in September. One of the most decorative apple trees.

Ornamental Pallas apple tree (Malus pallasiana)

The snow-white beauty is the Pallas apple tree, or Siberian apple tree (Malus pallasiana) - a tree up to 3-5 m high or a shrub with a rounded crown. The leaves are ovate, 2.5-8 cm long. The flowers are white on long pedicels, 2-3.5 cm in diameter, 4-8 in umbellate inflorescences; bloom in May-June. The fruits are spherical, yellow with a red tint, up to 1 cm in diameter; ripen in September. Homeland: Eastern Siberia, Far East, Northern China, Mongolia.

Sargent's decorative apple tree(Malus sargentii)

A modest Japanese beauty, the Sargent apple tree (Malus sargentii) is a shrub 1 to 3 m high with horizontally spread branches, often with thorns. The leaves are ovate, often three-lobed, 5-8 cm long, dark green, orange and yellow in autumn. The flowers are white, on bare stalks, 5-6 in bunches; bloom in May. The fruits are almost spherical, about 1 cm in diameter, dark red with a waxy coating; ripen in September. Decorative during flowering and fruiting.

Decorative plum-leaved or Chinese apple tree (Malus prunifolia)

This is a tree or shrub up to 10 m high with pubescent young shoots. The leaves are ovate, 5-10 cm long, dark green, slightly shiny, yellow or bronze in autumn. The flowers are large, 3 cm in diameter, white, 5-10 in umbellate inflorescences; bloom in May. The fruits are spherical, up to 2-3 cm in diameter on long stalks, yellow or red, sour, edible apples (paradise); They ripen in September and do not fall off for a long time. Decorative during flowering and fruiting. Resistant to fungal diseases. Homeland: Northeast China.

Decorative apple tree Tsumi (Malus x zumi)

Apple tree Tsumi ( Malus X zumi) - possibly a hybrid of the Manchurian variety of berry apple and Siebold. A small tree with a dense, spherical crown up to 6 (12) m high. The leaves are oblong-ovate on long shoots, noticeably lobed, 4-9 cm long. The flowers are numerous, 2.5-3 cm in diameter, pink in buds, open white ; bloom in May-June. The fruits are spherical, red, about 1 cm in diameter; ripen in September. Decorative during flowering and fruiting.

Ornamental Scheidecker apple tree (Malus Scheideckeri)

Scheidecker apple tree (Malus Scheideckeri) is a low tree up to 3.5 m high, with a dark brown trunk and fissured bark. The branches are light brown with an orange tint and light lentils. The leaves are oval, sharp-toothed, dark green. The flowers are pale pink, semi-double, up to 3.5 cm in diameter, dark pink in buds. The fruits are round or elongated-ovoid, bright yellow. Its decorative form "Red Jade" (red fruits) is interesting.

Ornamental apple tree Weeping or riverside

It was introduced into selection in an almost unchanged, wild form. In nature, it is found almost everywhere on the North American continent. With proper care, it grows up to 12 meters in height and has long flexible branches, which bend towards the ground during the growth of leaf mass and ripening of fruits. That is why this decorative apple tree received the name “Weeping”. It will grow well in all regions of our country, since it is not afraid of even severe frosts due to the dense layer of bark.

Ornamental apple tree Ola (Malus hybridus Ola)

The low ornamental apple tree of the Ola variety was bred in Poland. It prefers moist to moderately moist soils. Blooms profusely in sunny places, tolerates partial shade. Due to the fact that the plant does not grow higher than 5 meters, it is used for decorative landscaping in gardens and residential areas. The unusually elegant, openwork crown of the tree in spring is covered with a cap of large pink flowers and exudes a wonderful aroma.

Decorative apple tree of Makovetsky district

A tree or bush with a smooth, spherical crown up to 2 m in diameter and burgundy-colored branches. The leaves are red when blooming and gradually acquire a dark green color with a burgundy tint. Blooms in July with large bright red flowers. The fruits are bright red and edible. Light-loving. Prefers moist and fertile soils. Resistant to diseases. Highly winter-hardy.